Postgame Notes from Rice Game
10/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 4, 2007
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2007 Golden Eagle Postgame Notes
Rice at Southern Miss
Oct. 3, 2007
M.M. Roberts Stadium/Hattiesburg, Mississippi
(Attendance - 25,656)
* Tonight's captains for Southern Miss were No. 24 Gerald McRath, No. 6 Brandon Sumrall and No. 25 Damion Fletcher.
*Tonight's loss marked the third straight season that Southern Miss has lost its second C-USA game after winning the conference opener.
* Sophomore Damion Fletcher scored on a five-yard touchdown in the second quarter for his fourth rushing touchdown of the season and his 16th career rushing touchdown. However, after winning the first eight games in which Fletcher had scored a touchdown, Southern Miss has now dropped two straight.
* Fletcher recorded his 10th 100-yard rushing game in 18 career outings, carrying 23 times for 142 yards. With 142 yards, he has moved up two spots into 14th place on the all-time rushing list at Southern Miss with 1,917 yards.
* Fletcher had a pair of rushing touchdowns tonight, marking his fifth career multiple touchdown game. He also added a two-point conversion.
* Senior Marcus Raines scored his second touchdown of the season on just his sixth carry of the year early in the fourth quarter. Raines also had a career-long 36-yard reception in the game.
* Redshirt freshman Martevious Young made his first career start at quarterback. He completed his only pass attempt for two yards before leaving the game with an injury.
* Senior Stephen Reaves established new career highs in completions (24), pass attempts (44) and yards (231).
* The four interceptions thrown by Stephen Reaves ties a school record, held by 12 other players and most recently by Dustin Almond against Tulsa in Oct. 2005.
* Tory Harrison's 51-yard run early in the fourth quarter was the longest rush by a Southern Miss player this season and the second-longest offensive play of the season.
* Senior Brandon Sumrall intercepted a pass for the second straight game with his third quarter INT. It was his eight career interception.
* Sophomore Gerald McRath again led the team in tackles with nine, ending his streak of six consecutive games with double digit tackles that had dated back to last season.
* Junior Shawn Nelson caught a touchdown pass for the third straight game, reeling in an eight-yard scoring reception with 2:46 to play.
* Senior Chris Johnson led all Golden Eagle receivers in catches (7) and yards (51). He has four straight games with five or more receptions.
*The 31 points allowed by Southern Miss were the most allowed at home since a 52-31 win over UCF on Oct. 15, 2005.
*The seven turnovers by the Golden Eagles tonight (4 interceptions, 3 lost fumbles) tied a 25-year old M.M. Roberts Stadium record set against Louisiana Tech in 1982.
* Southern Miss failed to score in the first quarter for the third straight game.